Machine for assembling paperboard partitions



June30, 1953 H. AHLMEYER ETAL 2,543,590

' MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING PAPERBOARD PARTITIONS Filed June 21, 1948 *5 She ets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HEINZ AHLHEYER A? BY WHITNEYD. SHERMAN A ORNEY June 30, 1953 H. AHLMEZYER ETAL 2,643,590

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING PAPERBOARD PARTITIONS Filed June 21, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HEINZ AHLMEYER Q BYWHITNEYDSHERMAN ATTO EY June 30,1953 H. AHLMEYER ETAL 2,643,590

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING PAPERBOARD PARTITIONS Filed Juhe 21, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Q Her/v2 AHLMEYER BY WHITNEY 1). SHERMAN 22..- a

A'r'T NEY June 30,, 19 53 H. AHLMEYER ETAL MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING PAPEBBOARD PARTITIONS Filed June 21, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR- .HEINZ AHLMEYER BY WHITNEYD.S RMAN V ATT RNEY MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING PAPERBOARD 'PARTITIONS Filed June 21, 1948 June 30, 1953- H. AHLMEYER ETAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 R w RM 4 4 i \1 9 m1. lilsamkflm w |||\1|!||| Em \im z v 4 N H EA 7 L 2 Wm w z m H H l; MM W l l l ll D 3 H MAN ATTO EY Patented June 30, 1953 MACHINE FOR AS SEMBLING' PAPERBOARD PARTITION S.

Heinz'Ahlmeyer, Tappan, and Whitney D. Shermam. West Nyac ln'N. Y., assignors to Robert Gair Company, Inc., New York,.N. Y., a corporationof Delaware- Application J une21, 1948,--SerialNo; 34,178:

4 Claims.

The invention relates to mechanism for assembling crisscross partitions of paperboard and the like, such as the partitions used as separators in packing small articles, e. g. Christmas tree.

ornaments.

The crisscross partitions form individual cells of generally rectangular form, and conventionally are made by cutting parallel slits half-way across'the partition cards so that, when assembled, a set of parallel partitions having the slotted edges up are crisscrossed by' another set having.

the slotted edges down, the aligned opposed slots being brought into engagement to interlock the crisscross partitions with their respective upper and lower edges lying in common planes.

The usual practice inassembling the partitions has been to set them up by hand; This requires the employment of trained operators, is tedious workifor employees,and is altogether a slow and expensive operation However, to design amachine that would perform the same operation mechanically seemedto" present quite a problem, because a most elaborate mechanism would be required in order to duplicate the manualprocedure. our. invention toprovide a mechanismfor doing the job in a simpler and more expeditious way than wouldbe the. case if an attempt were made merely to mechanize the usual hand operation.

The hand. operation essentially required assembling each unit individually, and it might be supposed that even with a machine running.

continuously it would. be necessary to hold-some of the partitions in a fixed position While others.

are crisscrossed. with them in interlocking relationship. Thus we would have a machine having at least one fixed station, which would require a pause in the flow of work and impose av serious limitation on the productive capacity of the unit. However, we have found that the inter rupted motions of such a machine, essentially reproducing the interruptedmotions. of hand assembly, can be eliminated, and that it is com.- mercially practicable to have a continuously moving conveyor which advances a number of partitions in spacedparallel alignment, andto feed other partitions crisscross of the advancing, partitions as. they move past the feedinghead. The first group of partitions advance inparallelranks,

and the other partitions, in single file, are brought into crisscross interlocking engagement, one at a time, with the first group while advancingicontinuously.

.Another feature-of our invention is that the mechanism arranges the first group of partitions Consequently, it hasbeen an object of in alignment on a continuously moving trans verse conveyor, from which they are transferred to a continuously moving longitudinal conveyor in sets without interrupting the movement of either conveyor. The transfer mechanism sweeps the set of partitions from one conveyor to the other in the split-second interval that the partitions on the transverse conveyor advance some thing less than the distance represented by the spacing between adjacent partitions. This avoids the requirement, which otherwise wouldexist, of interrupting the movement of the transverse conveyor.

Another feature is that we have been able to use a continuously moving transfer arm driven at uniform speed, properly timed for the aforementioned split-second sweeping action, whilealso properly timed for the interval required to accumulate a predetermined number of partitions on thetransverse conveyor. This has'been accomplished by mounting the transfer arm on a continuouschain the length of which is several times greater than the length of the partitions.

Another feature resides in theprovision, onthe transverse conveyor, of partition supporting.

slots which areinclined forwardly in respect of thedirectionof travel of the conveyor. We have discovered that this construction prevents the partitions from slipping out of the slots as theyare received from the partition feeding head.

Other objects and advantages: will appear as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Figs. laand 1b show, in side elevation, our

preferred: form of mechanism, Fig. 1a being cut oif at thepoint where the crisscrossed partitionsleavethe second feeding head and enter the-locking unit, and Fig. lb showing the locking. unit itself.

Figs. 20,- and 2h show thesame mechanism in plan view; with the feeding heads removed. from Figs. 2a and replaced by a diagrammatic representation of these units.

Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the sequence of the operations of our mechanism as applied to assembling what is known as a 12-cell nest, consisting. of ninecrisscrossed partitions;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the first feeding head, taken :asindicated at 4-4 in: Fig. 1a, showing the partsin-the positionoccupied at theconclusion of theoperation of inserting a partition card P1 in one of: the slots l6.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 4, showing the 3 parts in the position occupied at the beginning of the operation of inserting a partition card P1 in one of the slots I 6.

Fig. 6 is a detail horizontal cross-sectional view taken as indicated at 6-45 in Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a detail view showing a modified form of cam control for the second feeding head.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing how partitions from the Second feeding head are assembled with partitions advancing in spaced parallel alignment on a continuously moving conveyor as the advancing partitions move past the feeding head.

General arrangement With reference to Figs. 1a and 1b, our mechanism comprises in its general arrangement a continuously moving longitudinal conveyor II], a continuously movin transverse conveyor II adjacent thereto, a feeding head I2 adjacent the transverse conveyor for feeding partitions P1 of paperboard or the like one at a time into spaced parallel arrangement on the transverse conveyor, transfe means I3 operative to transfer the partitions in sets from the transverse conveyor II to the longitudinal conveyor III, while maintaining their spaced parallel arrangement, and a second feeding head IA adjacent the path of travel of the partitions advancing in spaced parallel arrangement on the longitudinal conveyor for feeding othe partitions P2 one at a time into positions crisscross of said advancing partitions as they move past the second feeding head.

The transverse conveyor I I has supports I5 for holding partitions in spaced parallel arrangement, these supports comprising slots 16 (Fig. 4) to receive the partitions P1, these slots being inclined forwardly in respect of the direction of travel of the conveyor. The transfer means I3 comprises a transfer member, arm I'I, arranged to intermittently reverse the conveyor II in a direction normal to the direction of travel of the conveyor, to sweep the partitions from the slots in sets. This intermittent traversing action is so timed that the transfer arm I! will clear the conveyor within the space of time that the conveyor advances a distance equal to the distance between adjacent slots I6. The transfer arm I! is carried by a continuous chain or pair of chains I8, the length of which is several times'greater than the length of the partitions, so that the transfer arm traverses the transverse conveyor at intervals spaced to allow accumula-. tion of a predetermined number of partitions on the transverse conveyor, while the chains are driven at a substantially constant speed sufficient to cause the transfer arm to clear the conveyor within the space of time stated.

The timing of the operation of the transfer arm in relation to the timing of the transverse conveyor is important. Specifically, the lineal velocity of the transfer arm I 1 is at least equal to X the velocity of the transverse conveyor I I where d is the distance between the spaced parallel partitions and Z is the length of the partitions.

Also, the timing of the traversing action of the transfer arm I! in relation to the timing of the transverse conveyor II is important. This is determined with relation to the factors above stated, and additionally with relation to the 4 length of the chains I8 which carry the transfer arm, Specifically, the length of these chains is where n is the predetermined number of partitions P1 and v1 and m are the respective velocities of the transverse conveyor and chain.

A cut-out control I9 is provided on the second feeding head I I, whereby its operation can be interrupted during the intervals between the time that one set of partitions from the feeding head has left the second feeding head and the time that the succeeding set of partitions enters the second feeding head.

Referring to Figs. 1b and 2b, we have shown a locking unit 24, the function of which is to press the crisscrossed partitions into their final interlocked relationship by means of a pressing member 20 having a shouldered bearing surface 2|, 22. The pressing member reciprocates in a manner to bring first one part 2I and then the other part 22 of the shouldered bearing surface into engagement with the upper edge of each crisscross partition in turn to press them into interlocking engagement in two steps.

The foregoing comprise the essential components of our mechanism. The related structure, comprising the framework of the machine, the driving mechanism, including variable speed control switches and the like, may assume various forms without departing from our invention. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the conveyor units I0, II, feeding heads I2, I I, and transfer means I3, together with their associated driving and timing mechanism, are mounted on a frame indicated generally at 23 (Fig. 1a). The locking unit 24 with its associated driving and timing mechanism is mounted on a second frame unit 25 (Fig. lb) which may if desired be formed as an extension of the frame 23.

The feeding heads Feeding heads I2 and I4 may be of similar construction, so it will suffice to describe one of them. Its function is to feed partitions one at a time, i. e. in single file, as distinguished from movement of the spaced parallel partitions in sets or parallel ranks. In our preferred mechanism, the feeding head I 2 takes the form illustrated in Figs. 1a, 4 and 6. It comprises a pair of supporting columns 26 mounted on the frame 23, between which extends at their upper ends a cross bar 21 and at their lower ends a friction guide plate 28 positioned just above the supports I5 of the transverse conveyor II. A hopper 29 for the partitions P1 is fixed to the feeding head, bein supported by frame members 30, 3| as shown. The bottom 32 of the hopper extends between supports 26, and is inclined as shown in Fig. 4. The sides of the hopper are formed by adjustable guides 33v which may conveniently be made of angle irons with one flange extending vertically and the othe flange extending in parallelism with the bottom 32 for attachment thereto. The spacing of the guides 33 is adjusted in accordance with the length of the partition cards to be handled, Upper guides 34 are fixed to the frame of the feedin head as by means of brackets 35 and a cross bar 36 -to which the brackets are secured and which are in turn mounted on the vertical supports 26. These upper guides are arranged in line with the top edges of the partitions P1. At its lower end the bottom 32 of the hopper is flush with the foraccaeeo.

Ward (right-hand as viewedin Fig. 4) surface 38 of the guide plate 28. Guides 33 at their lower ends are formed with inwardly extending ther assisted by means of a friction-guide finger 39 disposed at or near the center of the hopper (Figs. 4 and 6), andagainst or in close pr'oxim ity to the reciprocating plate 48. This guide finger, like the flanges 3?, is disposed with its rearward surface just slightly in advance of the forward surface 33' of friction guide plate 28. Guide finger 39 preferably is made of spring steel to make it somewhat resilient, and besides guiding the cards as they are pushed down into the slots of the transverse conveyor, prevents them from dropping out of the hopper until they are pushed downwardly by the feeding mechanism which now will be described.

Plate 40 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in the guide channels M at the sides of the feeding head, adjacent the discharge end of the hopper. The reciprocatory movement of the plate is imparted by a crank 42 with a connecting rod 43 pivotally secured to the crank and to the plate 40; as shown. Crank 42 has an adjustable slide 44 to'which the connecting arm 43 is pivotally secured to make it possible to ad just the length of the crank arm and accordingly the length of the operating stroke of the plate 40. The length of connecting rod 43 also is made adjustable, as by means of the doubleended screw I45. The adjustable slide 44 and screw I45 are designed to permit the accommodation of partition cards of different heights. Crank 42 is mounted in suitable bearings on the frame and driven by means of a chain I45 from the common drive shaft 48 to which reference has been made.

Reciprocatory plate 40 carries a pair of pusher fingers I41, the lower ends of which are notched out at I48 to receive the upper edges of the partition cards. The transverse depth of these notches is equal, or very closely so, to the caliper of the paperboard from which the partitions P1 are made. Pusher fingers I41 are adjustable both laterally and vertically by means of securing bolts I49 which are received in selected holes of the series I50, and in holes I54 of the fingers (Fig. 1a). Pusher fingers I47 are adjusted vertically so that when they are in the fully retracted position shown in Fig. 5 the base of notches I48 is just slightly above the tops of the partition cards-say about in. The length of the stroke of the usher finger is adjusted so that in their fully advanced position shown in Fig. 4, the partition card will have been brought snugly into the bottom of one of the slots It of the transverse conveyor.

Also mounted on the reciprocatory plate 46 :area pair of brackets I5I. If desired, these brackets can be secured to the plate-by the same bolts which hold the pusher fingers I 41, as shown. The lower ends I52 of brackets I5I preferably are disposed at an angle to the horizontal which corresponds to the inclination of the bottom 32 of the hopper, so that when they are in their fully advanced position shown in Fig. 4, they will lie against the tops of the partition. cards and compress them slightly. The purpose of these brackets is to snug the cards into position at the lower end of the hopper so that upon the return stroke of the pusher fingers I 41, the cards will snap into engagement with the notches thereof.

Slots I6 of supports I5 of the transverse'com veyor II are flared outwardly at their entrances to assist in guiding the partitions P1 into the slots as they are pushed downwardly by the-fin-v gers I 47. observed that when a partition is inserted into one of the slots It, its lower edge is constrained;

head 52 just described. However, in order to permit partitions P1 advancing on conveyor I 0 to pass through the second feeding head, the friction guide plate 28 which corresponds to guide plate 28 of Figs. 4 and 5 is notched out at its lower edge sufficiently to allow clearance for these partitions, as indicated at I53.

The operation of reciprocatory plate 40 of feeding head 52 is synchronized with the operation of the continuously moving transverse'conveyor i I, transfer arm I'I, continuously'moving' longitudinal conveyor Ill, and reciprocatory plate 4d of the second feeding head I4, through a common drive which may comprise motor 45, variable speed control 46, speed reducer 41, and main drive shaft 48, with associated drivin mechanism as shown in the drawings.

The transverse conveyo The transverse conveyor II (Fig. 4) comprises supports I5 for holding the partitions in spaced parallel arrangement, these supports being fixed to a pair of continuous chains v4! 49. As has been noted, supports I5 comprise slots I6 for holding the partitions. These slots are inclined forwardly in respect of the direction of travel of the transverse conveyor, a construction which prevents the partitions from jumping out of the slots as they are received from the feeding.

head I 2.

After a predetermined number of partitions has been accumulated in spaced parallel alignment on the transverse conveyor II in line with the longitudinal conveyor It, the transfer arm I! sweeps the accumulated partitions from the slots It of transverse conveyor I I and places them on the continuously moving conveyor I U.

The transfer mechanism The transfer mechanism will now be described with reference to Figs. 1a and 2a. It comprises transfer arm I! mounted on a pair of chains I3- this transfer arm being in line with the longi tudinal conveying means it. An important feature of the transfer means is that the transfer arm i? traverses the transverse conveyor II so as to clear the accumulated set of partitionsfrom the slots It within the space of time that conveyor II advances a distance equal to the' With reference to Fig. 4, it will be distance between slots 56. Another feature is the use of a continuously moving transfer arm I! driven at uniform speed, properly timed for the aforementioned traversing action, and also properly timed for the interval required to accumulate a predetermined number of partitions on the transverse conveyor H. This has been accomplished by making the length of chains l8 several times greater than the length of the partitions.

More specifically, the timing of the velocity of the traversing action of the transfer arm I! and the length of the chains 18 is as follows:

Velocity of the transfer arm I! is at least equal Xvelocit d y of conveyor II, and

Length of chains 18=v where d is the distance between the spaced parallel partitions (i. e. the distance between slots l6) Z is the length of the partitions n is the predetermined number of partitions Pl (i. e. the number of partitions in a set) 121 is the velocity of conveyor II 122 is the velocity of transfer arm I].

In applying these formulae, it will be found that chain l8 will be quite long, and the length of chain can be handled most conveniently by having it follow a circuitous path as is clearly shown in Fig. la. The direction of travel is as indicated by the arrows on the drawing. The lower branch of the chains as they cross above the transverse conveyor H is just slightly above the conveyors surface so that arm I! engages the ends of the partitions, sweeping them from left to right as seen in this view. This action is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 3, where the predetermined number of partitions has been accumulated on conveyor H at b and is swept toward position by the transfer arm.

The longitudinal conveyor Just before the partitions reach position c, they are picked up by the longitudinal conveying means indicated diagrammatically at It. This conveying means will now be described with reference to Figs. 1a and 2a. In our preferred construction, this comprises a continuous pair of chains 50, 58 carrying bars 5! uniformly spaced in accordance with the length of the partitions and timing of the transfer arm ll relative to the movement of conveyor 58. This conveyor also comprises means for guiding the partitions and for adjusting the spacing thereof as they are brought to the second feeding head I4. In the embodiment illustrated, the partitions slide across a fixed table 52. To this table are affixed a series of guides 53 whose entering portions are widened, as at 54, for ease of transfer of the partitions from the moving transverse conveyor I I, and to allow the partitions to be brought into vertical position from their inclined position in slots i6. At 55, guides 53 fan outwardly to meet the parallel guide sections 5% which hold the partitions in proper spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of the slots 57 (Fig. 8) of partitions P2 which are to be interlocked therewith at the second feeding head I4.

The cut-out control The second feeding head [4 is like the first feeding head [2 already described, and its operation is the same except that a cut-out control is provided on the second feeding head whereby its operation can be interrupted during the interval between the time that one set of partitions from the first feeding head has left the second feeding head and the time that the succeeding set of partitions enters the second feeding head. The purpose of the cut-out is to stop the feeding of cards from the second feeding head over the blank spaces of the longitudinal conveyor. The cut-out control may comprise a conventional single revolution clutch and brake well known in the machinery art, and its operation is controlled by a suitable cam driven from a shaft of the conveyor chains 50. This cam is indicated at I55 in Fig. 1a, which also shows diagrammatically the single revolution clutch and brake.

It will be appreciated that interrupted feeding at the second feeding head is necessary only where there is a space between the advancing ranks of parallel partitions P1 on conveyor 10. In a machine designed for one particular size of partition, there need be no space between the advancing ranks, and if the distance between the trailing slot of one rank of partitions and the leading slot of the succeeding rank of partitions is equal to the distance between slots, it will be understood that there need be no interruption of the operation of the second feeding head. In

- this case, the cam I55 previously referred to may be replaced by a cam I56 indicated in Fig. '7, so that the operation of the second feeding head will be continuous; or if desired, the cut-out control comprising the cam and the single revolution clutch and brake can be omitted entirely, with simple coordination of the operation of the second feeding head and the conveyor by connection to the common drive. However, we prefer to have a cut-out control so that the ma-- chine is adaptable to handling different sizes of partitions. Thus the mechanism here shown is of more universal application.

Operation of second feeding head As the set of advancing partitions P1 move past the feeding head 14, partitions P2 (6, Fig. 3) are fed crisscross of the advancing partitions d. Partitions P2 are interlocked with partitions P1 wthout interrupting the continuous movement of partitions P1 through the machine. The action of interlocking the crisscross partitions during forward movement of partitions P1 is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 8, succeeding relative positions of partitions P1 and P2 being illustrated, reading from top to bottom. Advantage is taken of the beveled entering portions 58 of slots 51 of partitions P1 and P2 (the slots of partitions P1 and P2 usually are of identical form) during this operation. In the second position from the top of Fig. 8, it will be observed that partitions P1 and P2 have begun to overlap prior to the time that their respective slots 5? are in alignment. In the third position, the beveled entry portion 58 of partition P1 affords clearance just prior to the time when the partition P1 is in exact alignment with the descending partition P2. When the lowermost position is reached, slot 51 of partition P1 is exactly opposite the feeding head or only slightly advanced therefrom.

The lockingunit The nest of crisscross partitions has now been completed except for locking them-in their final position. It will be observed that as the nest leaves the second feeding head (11, Fig. 3), the upper edges of partitions P2 are above the plane of-the upper edges of partitions P1. At this point the respective bases 59 of the slots -7 of partitions P1 and P2 are resting lightly in engagement. Slots 5'l-have a narrow extension in the form of a cut 60, and when the edges of partitions P1 and P2 are brought into the same plane, there is an overlapping of the cuts 60 of the respective partitions, which looks them together;

Final alignment of the partitions is accomplished by the mechanism illustrated in Fig..2b and shown diagrammatically at in Fig. 3. It comprises the pressing member 20 having the shouldered'bearing surface 2|, 22 and which reciprocates vertically to bring first one part and then the other part'of the shouldered bearing surface into engagement with the upper edges of each crisscross partition P2 in turn to press them into interlocking engagement with partitions P1 at the cut lines 60; The nests are carried under'the pressing'member 20 by means of a suitable conveyor 6| which picks up the nests as theyare dischargedfrom' conveyor II at 32 (Fig. 1a). Conveyor BI may be a simple belt conveyor as shown, and there may be suitable guides 63 to keep the partitions in proper position as they advance toward the pressing member 2|]. The shoulder 2| of pressing member 20 may be so spaced with reference to shoulder 22 that when the pressing member is in its lowermost position, partitions P1 and P2 will be accurately aligned with the bases of their respective slots 51 in engagement. After this alignment has been secured, the final locking action is performed by shoulder 22 which brings the cuts 60 of the respective partitions into interlocking engagement, with the upper and lower edges of the partitions in common planes.

Conveyor 6| is driven in any suitable manner as by means of motor 64, speed reducer E55, variable speed control 66, and associated driving mechanism as shown. The speed of conveyor 6| preferably is adjusted to keep the spacing between successive nests to a minimum, thus increasing to the maximum the number of blows of the pressing member on each nest.

The apparatus we have described, when set up as illustrated in Figs. la and 2a, is designed to assemble 100-cel1 nests consisting of twenty-two partitions (11 x 11), up to 12 in. long, spaced A in. apart. Assuming a velocity of ft. per minute for conveyor H, with partitions 12 in. long, the velocity of transfer member I1 will be at least equal to 10(=200 ft. per minute) The length of or 10.1 ft.

Other sizes and shapes of nests can be assembled, e. g. the 12-cell, 4 x 5 nests of nine partitions indicated in Fig. 3.

1c The terms and expressions which we have employed are used in a descriptive and not a limiting sense, and we have no intention of excluding such equivalents of the invention described, or

of portions thereof, as fall within the purview of the claims.

We claim:

1. In mechanism for assembling criss-cross partitions of paperboard and the like, a continuously moving longitudinal conveyor, a continuously moving transverse conveyor having supports for holding partitions in spaced parallel arrangement, a feeding head adjacent the transverse conveyor for feeding partitions into spaced parallel arrangement in said supports, a transfer member intermittently traversing the transverse conveyor in a direction normal to the direction of travel of the transverse conveyor to transfer the partitions in sets from the transverse conveyor to the longitudinal conveyor, a mechanical drive for said transverse conveyor arranged for operation at a predetermined constant speed, and a mechanical drive for said transfer member arranged for operation at a predetermined constant speed, said mechanical drives being interlocked for maintenance of a constant speed ratio therebetween, the mechanical drive for said transfer member consisting of a continuous chain and said transfer member consisting of anarm carried by said chain, the length of said chain being several times greater than the length of the partitions so that said arm traverses the transverse conveyor at intervals spaced to allow accumulation of a predetermined number of partitions on the transverse conveyor while the chain is driven at a substantially constant speed sufficient to cause said arm to clear the transverse conveyor within the space of time that said conveyor advances a distance equal to the distance between the spaced parallel partitions.

2. In mechanism for assembling crisscross partitions of paperboard and the like, a continuously moving longitudinal conveyor, a continuously moving transverse conveyor having supports for holding partitions in spaced parallel arrangement, a feeding head adjacent the transverse conveyor for feeding partitions into spaced parallel arrangement in said supports, a transfer member intermittently traversing the transverse conveyor in a direction normal to the direction of travel of the transverse conveyor to transfer the partitions in sets from the transverse conveyor to the longitudinal conveyor, a mechanical drive for said transverse conveyor arranged for operation at a predetermined constant speed, and a mechanical drive for said transfer member arranged for operation at a predetermined constant speed, said mechanical drives being interlocked for maintenance of a constant speed ratio therebetween such that the transfer member will clear the transverse conveyor within the space of time that the transverse conveyor advances a distance equal to the distance between the spaced parallel partitions, the lineal velocity of the transfer member being at least equal to 1/11 times the velocity of the transverse conveyor where d is the distance between the spaced parallel partitions and Z is the length of the partitions.

3. In mechanism for assembling crisscross partitions of paperboard and the like, a continuously moving longitudinal conveyor, a continuously moving transverse conveyor having supports for holding partitions in spaced parallel arrangement, a feeding head adjacent the transverse conveyor for feeding partitions into spaced parallel arrangement in said supports, a transfer member intermittently traversing the transverse conveyor in a direction normal to the direction of travel of the transverse conveyor to transfer the partitions in sets from the transverse conveyor to the longitudinal conveyor, a mechanical drive for said transverse conveyor arranged for operation at a predetermined constant speed, and a mechanical drive for said transfer member arranged for operation at a predetermined constant speed, said mechanical drives being interlocked for maintenance of a constant speed ratio therebetween such that the transfer member will clear the transverse conveyor within the space of time that the transverse conveyor advances a distance equal to the distance between the spaced parallel partitions, the lineal velocity of the transfer member being at least equal to Z/d times the velocity of the transverse conveyor where d is the distance between the spaced parallel partitions and Z is the length of the partitions, and the length of the chain being mi 11 times where n is the predetermined number of partitions, and v1 and D2 are the respective velocities of the transverse conveyor and chain.

4. In mechanism for assembling crisscross partitions of paperboard and the like, a continuously moving longitudinal conveyor, a transverse conveyor mechanism disposed adjacent the longitu- 12 dinal conveyor for arranging partitions in spaced parallel arrangement opposite the end of the longitudinal conveyor and parallel to the direction of travel of the longitudinal conveyor, trans fer means operative to place the partitions on the continuously moving longitudinal conveyor, a feeding mechanism disposed adjacent the path of travel of the partitions advancing in spaced parallel arrangement on the longitudinal conveyor for feeding other partitions one at a time into positions crisscross of said advancing partitions as they move past said feeding mechanism, a pressing member having a shouldered bearing surface, the crisscross partitions leaving the feeding mechanism passing under said pressing member which reciprocates in a manner to bring first one part and then the other part of said shouldered bearing surface into engagement with the upperedges of each crisscross partition in turn to press them into interlocking engagement with said advancing partitions in two steps.

HElNZ AHLMEYER. WHITNEY D. SHERMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,523,652 La Bombard et al. Jan. 20, 1925 1,996,812 Jensen et a1 Apr. 9, 1935 2,296,758 Allen et a1 Sept. 22, 1942 

